Massive spike in COVID-19 cases after lockdown relaxations in Telangana

Hyderabad: The number of COVID-19 cases in Telangana witnessed a drastic spike following lockdown relaxations, the data provided by the Telangana health department revealed. Bringing out a month-wise break-up of the COVID-19 cases in the state, the data from the health department showed that the highest number of cases were reported post relaxations during the third lockdown, from May 4 to May 30. It may be recalled that the Telangana state government had announced several lockdown relaxations on May 19, declaring the whole state as a green zone, except for a few containment areas in Hyderabad.

Before lockdown, that is from March 2 to March 21, 22 cases of COVID-19 were reported in the state. While this number increased to 397 cases during the first lockdown, from March 22 to April 7, it reached over 600 cases during the second lockdown, from April 8 to May 3. Finally, the month of May has seen over 1,005 cases alone.

Speaking to NewsMeter Dr G Srinivasa Rao - Director of Public Health - Telangana, said, "The surge in number of cases are directly proportionate to the increase in public movement (referring to relaxations) entry of migrants from surrounding states and foreign returnees. Of the 1.5 lakh migrants who returned to Telangana, 50 percent are from Maharastra. Out of the large number 180 have been tested positive around 82,313 are under home quarantine".

He further added, "The number of new COVID cases may surge in June and July, however not may be as per the estimated figure. People must take adequate precaution and extra care for elders and children. In the coming weeks, COVID admission to Chest hospital will be allowed" .

The spike began in Telangana since the arrival of first Vande Bharat mission flight from Kuwait to Hyderabad on May 10, which brought 163 passengers. Additionally, the Hyderabad International Airport has resumed its domestic operations as per the government’s direction from May 25.

Further, the department also specified that the 1,005 cases reported from May 4 to May 30, comprise of 541 families. The number of infected families has shot up from 246 in the first lockdown to 343 families in the second, and finally reaching 541 families in May.

The religious congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in New Delhi had several participants from Telangana. According to the data provided by the state health department, 984 cases in the state were contacts from the religious event. The last Markaz contact was reported on May 24, health officials said.

In addition to this, the first international traveler in the state was tested positive for COVID-19 on May 14, while the first inter-state migrant tested positive on May 7.

Nizamabad district had the most number of people placed under home quarantine, with over 47,000 citizens under observation, closely followed by Bhadradri-Kothagudem district, which had 45,309 people kept under home quarantine. Warangal Urban also showed a similar number of people, with 45,020 citizens quarantined.